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Before the passes, receptions, blocks or sacks, the Mississippi State coaching staff talked to its players about a plan.

The 2014 season holds high expectations and MSU coach Dan Mullen has a blueprint.

"We didn't talk about blocks or releases or drops. We talked about coach Mullen's plan to win," MSU co-offensive coordinator Billy Gonzales said. "We express that to our players, the importance of following the plan to win."

The plan calls for four steps.

1. Play Great Defense -- Mississippi State finished fifth in the SEC last year in scoring defense allowing 23 points per game. Gonzales added a caveat for the offense.

"We've got to get two first downs (a drive)," Gonzales said. "We told our team, in order for us to play great defense and to help our defense out, we've got to be able to control the ball."

2. Win the turnover battle -- Mississippi State finished last year with a +7 turnover margin. MSU was +8 in the final five games. MSU runs daily drills focused on forcing fumbles and creating turnovers. MSU defensive coordinator Geoff Collins even created a "Get the Ball" award during spring practice.

3. Red zone scoring -- Mississippi State ranked eighth in the SEC scoring on 80 percent of its trips inside the 20. It also ranked eighth in touchdown percentage at 63.6.

"We're going try to practice red zone more than any other team in the country," Gonzales said. "And I think if we do that we'll see the results."

4. Special teams -- Mississippi State struggled kicking last year. The Bulldogs made 10 of 21 field goals. They also had two punts blocked. Mississippi State added special teams duties to running back coach Greg Knox.

"We've told our players to understand that if you're a starter on offense at a skill position, you've got to be a starter on special teams," Gonzales said.